A broken femur (thigh bone) is one of the most serious orthopedic injuries a person can suffer and is often the result of a high-impact trauma like a car accident, motorcycle crash, pedestrian collision, or a major fall. In California personal injury cases, a fractured femur typically leads to significant medical bills, long recovery times, rehabilitation, and lost wages. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to substantial compensation.
🦴 What Is a Broken Femur?
The femur is the longest and strongest bone in the human body, connecting the hip to the knee. Because of its strength, breaking the femur usually requires a violent force and is rarely a minor injury.
Types of Femur Fractures:
- Proximal femur fracture (near the hip; sometimes called a hip fracture)
- Femoral shaft fracture (the long middle part of the bone)
- Distal femur fracture (near the knee joint)
- Open fracture (bone pierces the skin — risk of infection and longer recovery)
- Comminuted fracture (bone is shattered into multiple pieces)
- Displaced fracture (ends of the bone are misaligned)
🚗 Common Causes in Personal Injury Cases
Femur fractures often occur in high-force accidents, such as:
- Motor vehicle accidents (especially high-speed collisions)
- Motorcycle or bicycle crashes
- Pedestrian vs. car accidents
- Slip and fall from a height (e.g., down stairs or off ladders)
- Sports injuries (though less common unless it’s a high-impact sport)
- Assaults or physical violence (blunt trauma to the leg)
⚖️ Legal Elements of a California Personal Injury Claim
To bring a successful claim for a broken femur in California, you must show:
- Duty of Care – The defendant owed you a legal duty (e.g., to drive safely, maintain property, etc.)
- Breach of Duty – They violated that duty through negligence or recklessness.
- Causation – Their actions directly led to your femur fracture.
- Damages – You suffered financial losses, physical pain, or emotional harm.
California uses a comparative negligence system, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
💰 Compensation You Can Recover
🔹 Economic Damages:
- Emergency room and hospitalization
- Surgery (e.g., rods, plates, or screws to stabilize the bone)
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Medical imaging (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs)
- Prescription medication and pain management
- Assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers, canes)
- Home modifications (e.g., ramps or stair lifts)
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Future medical expenses if long-term care is needed
🔹 Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of mobility or independence
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium (impact on personal relationships)
🔹 Punitive Damages:
In rare cases where the defendant acted with gross negligence or malicious intent (e.g., DUI crash, assault), the court may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer.
🧾 What Evidence Strengthens Your Case?
Thorough documentation is key to proving the seriousness of your injury and the negligence of the other party.
✅ Strong Evidence Includes:
- Medical records and X-rays documenting the fracture
- Surgical notes and doctor’s prognosis
- Rehabilitation and therapy records
- Photos of the accident scene and visible injuries
- Witness statements and accident reports
- Expert testimony (orthopedic surgeons, rehab specialists)
- Proof of lost wages and reduced work capacity
- Pain journals or personal impact statements
⏳ Statute of Limitations in California
- Personal injury lawsuits: Must be filed within 2 years of the injury date.
- Claims against government agencies: You have 6 months to file an administrative claim.
Missing the deadline can bar you from recovery, so don’t wait to take action.
👨⚖️ Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
A broken femur is not a minor injury — insurance companies often try to minimize the value of your claim, even when the damages are obvious. A skilled California personal injury attorney can:
- Ensure all your current and future medical costs are included
- Handle negotiations with insurers
- Bring in medical and economic experts to prove long-term impact
- File a lawsuit and represent you at trial if needed
- Maximize your total recovery
Law Offices of James R. Dickinson – 909-848-8448
How To Schedule A Consultation:
Please call us at 909-848-8448 to schedule a free consultation/case evaluation or complete the form immediately below. [Please note certain formalities must be completed to retain the Law Offices of James R. Dickinson, such as the signing of a legal fee agreement [see “Disclaimers”]].